What can I do if someone is using my phone number to make fraudulent calls (spoofing)?

In order to hide their true identity and origin, telemarketers and fraudsters sometimes “spoof” their information by displaying a fake phone number when making calls. Since they can display any fake number, they’ll sometimes use local numbers and might even use yours.

If you receive a call with a spoofed caller ID, or you think someone might be using your number to spoof other people, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.

Good to know: Spoofing is usually done to mislead the person receiving the telephone call into believing that the call is from a local or trusted source. Sometimes, illegitimate telemarketers may even spoof their number to match the telephone number of the person being called. These spoofed calls originate from outside of Cogeco’s network.